Reporting from drought-hit Somaliland, Hannah Wilkinson, the British Red Cross’ senior media manager, discovers a proud people struggling to survive.

Soon after stepping off the plane in the city of Hargeisa, I learnt that my visit coincided with the President declaring a national day of prayer. People here have actually been asked to pray for rain.

Driving towards Sool, one of the worst drought affected areas in eastern Somaliland, you can see why.

The riverbeds look like roads. The rains are now over three weeks late and the people are desperate.

We bump into colleagues from a Somali Red Crescent team, on their way to an emergency outbreak of sickness.

Before long, we arrive at a school – now an emergency clinic.

Women and children comprise 90 per cent of the sick here. It’s true what they say about drought hitting them hardest.